Claimant Handbook

If you meet all the eligibility requirements and file your claim each week, you should receive your first payment about three weeks after you apply for benefits. For all new claims, the first payment is usually made by paper check.

The Employment Department pays benefits by U.S. Banks ReliaCard(R) Visa and electronic deposit. If you don't apply for payment by electronic deposit, a ReliaCard Visa will be sent to you after we issue your first payment.

1. Electronic Deposit
With electronic deposit, we electronically transfer your weekly benefit payment into your checking or savings account at your bank, credit union, or savings and loan.

To apply for electronic deposit you will need your bank's routing and account numbers. Here is an example of where you can find these numbers on a check:

To apply for direct deposit:

• Use the Online Claim System and select Electronic Deposit from the main menu, or
• Print the Authorization for Electronic Deposit form and send it to us.

Using the Online Claim System to set up Direct Deposit is the quickest way to receive payments. ​

Important: The Employment Department has no control over your payment after it is transferred to your bank. If you have fees assessed to your account, such as garnishments or overdraft penalties, your bank may deduct those before they deposit any payment.

Please contact us at (503) 947-1394 if the bank account information you provided is incorrect.​

2. ReliaCard(R) Visa
With the U.S. Bank ReliaCard Visa, your payments are deposited onto a prepaid debit card. This card can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

If an authorization for electronic deposit has not been processed and confirmed prior to being approved for benefits, a ReliaCard will be issued to your when your first payment is issued. You don't need to apply for a ReliaCard.

Please watch for the card in the mail. It will arrive in a plain white envelope with a Indianapolis, IN return address. Don't throw it away, even if you sign up for electronic deposit. This card is good for one year. Please keep your card for future use.

When you receive your card, call the toll-free number on the card to activate it You will receive a Cardholder Agreement with the card that explains the various fees and conditions associated with it. You will also receive monthly statements from U.S. Bank with your account information.

Important Fee Information: There may be fees associated with the use of your ReliaCard. Read your Cardholder Agreement thoroughly, along with any additional notifications you receive from ReliaCard. In addition, you can read important information from the Oregon State Treasurer's Office website regarding prepaid cards and related fees.

If you owe child support payments and there is a court order from the Oregon Department of Justice requiring deductions, a percentage is deducted from your benefits each week. The deductions continue until the court notifies us to stop.

We may deduct retirement income from your weekly benefit amount.

If you apply for, are eligible to receive, or receive any type of retirement (except Social Security), or any type of disability retirement income, you must report this information to the UI Center immediately. After you report this information, we will mail a notice to you if we are going to deduct from your benefits. Failure to report retirement or changes in that income could result in denial and possible overpayment of benefits. (See Fraud)

If you receive retroactive retirement income covering a period of time for which you were also paid unemployment benefits, you will be responsible for repaying any overpayments that result.

At the end of January, we will send you a Form 1099-G (Statement for Recipients of Unemployment Compensation) to your last known address. This notice states the benefits paid and taxes withheld during the previous year.

You can also call the Weekly Claim Line. Follow the instructions for checking the status of your weekly claim. Either system will tell you if the week has been paid. If the system confirms payment, please allow seven business days from the day you claimed for weekly benefits before calling the UI Center about a late payment. If you haven't received your first payment please refer to First Payment within this section.

You can track the remaining balance of your claim using the Online Claims System. You can also call the Weekly Claim Line phone system and select Option #2 to check the status/balance.